Device-to-mount rotational coupling mechanism

ABSTRACT

This disclosure describes a rotational coupling mechanism for releasably coupling a device to a mounting platform. In one example, a user may nest a device within the mounting platform and perform a single rotation of the nested device to toggle between a locked position and an unlocked position. The user may continue the single rotation of the nested device, in the same clockwise or anticlockwise direction, to toggle the device from the unlocked position and back to the locked position. In a locked position, the device is restricted from translation relative to the mounting platform, however, the device may continue to rotate in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to toggle between a locked and unlocked position. In an unlocked position, the device may disengage freely from the mounting platform and is thus subsequently free to move in any translational direction or about any rotational axis.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to a co-pending, commonly owned U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/855,699, filed on May 31, 2019,and titled “Device-to-Mount Rotational Coupling Mechanism,” which isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The conventional locking mechanism to secure an electronic device to amounting platform typically operates on a double-action mechanism. Afirst action involves securing the electronic device to the mountingplatform and the second action involves locking the electronic device inplace. Similarly, separate and distinct actions may be required tounlock and remove the electronic device from the mounting platform.

The force and motion required to secure the electronic device in placeare typically directed in a different direction to the force and motionrequired to lock the electronic device. In one example, securing theelectronic device may require a horizontally-directed force, whilelocking the electronic device in place may require a vertically-directedforce or a rotary force and motion. In these examples, the double act ofun/securing and un/locking in electronic device can limit theflexibility and applicability of such locking mechanisms in particularuse environments where the location of the electronic device isdifficult to reach and/or may necessitate performing the double act ofun/securing and un/locking the electronic device using one hand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanyingfigures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference numberidentifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. Theuse of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similaror identical items or features.

FIGS. 1A through 1C illustrate an assembly view of the device casing andthe mounting platform. FIG. 1A illustrates a side view of the devicecasing installed into the mounting platform. FIG. 1B illustrates anisometric view from above the device casing that depicts the devicecasing separated from the mounting platform. FIG. 1C illustrates anisometric view from below the mounting platform that depicts the devicecasing separated from the mounting platform.

FIGS. 2A through 2E illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a devicecasing assembly that comprises a retainer plate assembly that is rigidlyfixed to a device casing. FIG. 2A illustrates an exploded isometric viewof the device casing and retainer plate assembly. FIG. 2B illustrates aside view of the device casing assembly. FIG. 2C illustrates across-sectional view of the device casing assembly through section A-Aof FIG. 2B. FIG. 2D illustrates a cross-sectional view through sectionB-B of FIG. 2C. FIG. 2E illustrates a cross-sectional view throughsection C-C of FIG. 2C.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a mounting platform thatreceives the retainer plate assembly of the device casing. FIG. 3Aillustrates an isometric view of the mounting platform. FIG. 3Billustrates a top planform view of the mounting platform. FIG. 3Cillustrates a cross-sectional view through section D-D of FIG. 3B. FIG.3D illustrates a cross-sectional view through section E-E of FIG. 3B.

FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of amounting platform that is further configured as a power chargingstation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure describes a rotational coupling mechanism for releasablycoupling a device to a mounting platform. In one example, a user maynest a device within the mounting platform and perform a single rotationof the nested device to toggle between a locked position and an unlockedposition. In a locked position, the device is restricted fromtranslation relative to the mounting platform, however, the device maycontinue to rotate in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction totoggle between a locked and unlocked position. In an unlocked position,the device may disengage freely from the mounting platform and is thussubsequently free to move in any translational direction or about anyrotational axis.

The rotational coupling mechanism, as described herein, provides for asingle-rotational action that selectively couples, locks and unlocks adevice relative to a mounting platform. The single-rotational actionsimplifies the number of user operations to couple and lock a device tothe mounting platform. In other words, a user may choose to nest thedevice in the mounting platform and rotate the device in a clockwisedirection until the device is in a locked position. The user maycontinue to rotate the device in the clockwise direction until thedevice is toggled to an unlocked position. Similarly, the user may nestthe device in the mounting platform and rotate the device in ananti-clockwise direction until the device is in a locked position, andfurther continue to rotate the device in the anti-clockwise directionuntil the device is toggled to an unlocked position.

Rather than necessitating discrete actions to attach a device to amounting platform and then lock the device to the mounting platform, therotational coupling mechanism may perform both functions via asingle-rotational action.

In various examples, the rotational coupling mechanism may facilitatemounting a mechanical device or an electronic device to a mountingplatform. In one example, the device may correspond to an electronictracking device that is used to track movements of a tracked item, suchas a tangible product, an individual, or an animal. The mountingplatform may correspond to a charging station or a mounting plate thatis fixedly attached to the tracked item. For example, the device may bean electronic tracker that is releasably coupled to a product, person,or an animal via a mounting platform.

The rotational coupling mechanism comprises two parts, namely a retainerplate assembly that is fixed to the device casing and the mountingplatform that is configured to receive the retainer plate assembly.

The rotational coupling mechanism is created by a surface abutmentbetween a segment of the retainer plate assembly and a correspondingsegment of a grooved-flange formed within the mounting platform. Thecoupling mechanism may be engaged by aligning the device casing into analigned position relative to the mounting platform. The aligned positionmay correspond to an alignment of corners of the retainer plate assemblywith etched openings in the grooved-flange of the mounting platform.Once in the aligned positioned, the device casing may be inserted intothe mounting platform, which forces the retainer plate assembly to nestwithin the grooved flange of the mounting platform. Once inserted, auser may rotate the device casing, in a clockwise or counterclockwisedirection, thereby rotating the retainer plate assembly within thegrooved flange of the mounting platform, until the retainer plateassembly (and ultimately, the device casing) is engaged in a lockedposition. Further rotation of the device mount may cause the devicecasing to toggle into an unlocked position.

The opening of the mounting platform may be sized to receive theretainer plate assembly of the device casing in a particularorientation. For example, the retainer plate assembly of the devicecasing may have a square profile, and the opening of the mountingplatform may be sized to receive the square profile. In some examples,the opening of the mounting platform may be oversized by a predeterminedtolerance that suits the fitment of the retainer plate assembly withinthe mounting platform.

The mounting plate may further include a groove that is etched into theinner edge of the mounting plate that abuts the retainer plate assembly.The groove may be sized to accept the outermost dimension of theretainer plate assembly at any rotational orientation of the retainerplate assembly within the mounting plate. For example, consider a devicecasing with a square retainer plate assembly. In this example, thegroove of the mounting plate may be sized to suit the diagonal lengthbetween non-adjacent corners of the retainer plate assembly (i.e.outermost dimension), such that the retainer plate assembly may rotate afull 360-degrees when inserted into the mounting bracket.

Moreover, the groove may be etched through a full thickness of themounting plate at discrete positions that facilitate receipt of theretainer plate assembly into the mounting plate. Continuing with theprevious example, a full thickness groove may be etched at positionsthat align with the corners of a square retainer plate assembly tofacilitate receipt of the square retainer plate assembly. At all othercircumferential positions, the groove may be etched through a partialthickness of the mounting plate, such that a flange is created tooverlap a segment of the edge of the retainer plate assembly atparticular orientations of the device casing within the mountingplatform.

In various examples, an unlocked position of the device casing from themounting platform corresponds to an alignment of the corners of theretainer plate assembly with the full thickness segments of the groove.Therefore, to uncouple the device casing from the mounting platform, auser may rotate the device casing in a clockwise or counter-clockwiseuntil the corners of the retainer plate assembly align with thefull-thickness segment of the groove.

In contrast, a locked position corresponds to an overlap of the cornersof the retainer plate assembly with the partial thickness segments ofthe groove. In this latter example, the flange created by the partialthickness segment of the groove prevents translation of the devicecasing relative to the mounting platform (i.e. locked position) byrestricting the translation of overlapped edges of the retainer plateassembly.

This disclosure further describes a mechanically assisted couplingassembly that reduces the likelihood that the device casing isinadvertently rotated from a locked position to an unlocked position.The mechanically assisted coupling assembly comprises a plurality ofwedges that protrude outward from the outermost dimension (i.e. corners)of the retainer plate assembly. The wedges may include mechanicallyassistance that biases the wedge to protrude outward from the retainerplate assembly. Thus, when the device casing is nested within themounting platform, the outward protrusion of the wedges may force thewedges into notches etched into segments of the mounting platform. Insome examples, the wedges may be positionally-offset above the outermostdimension of the retainer plate assembly. The wedges may be mechanicallyassisted by any type of device or source of force such as a coilcompression spring, a magnetic latch, an elastic rubber, or any otherelastic material or device.

In one example, consider a device casing within a mechanically assistedretainer assembly being inserted into a mounting platform. In thisexample, the wedges of the retainer assembly may be biased to protrudeoutward from the retainer plate assembly under the bias of a source offorce, such as a coil compression spring. As the retainer plate assemblyis inserted into the mounting plate platform, the wedges contact thesurface of the groove (i.e. full-thickness groove when the retainerplate assembly is aligned with the mounting platform in the unlockedposition) and wedges regress inwards into the retainer plate assembly.The inward regression causes the source of force associated with thewedges, such as the coil compression spring, to force the wedge outwardsfrom the retainer plate assembly and toward the surface of the groove.When the retainer plate assembly of the device casing is rotated toalign with a notch of the mounting platform, the wedge is configured toprotrude into the notch under the force of the coil compression spring,thus locking the retainer plate assembly in place.

To unlock the retainer plate assembly from the mounting plate, a usermay apply a sufficient rotational force to the device casing (i.e.retainer plate assembly) that causes the wedge to move out of the notchand regress inward into the retainer plate assembly.

The rotational stiffness of the locking mechanism can be impacted by thestiffness of the mechanism used to force the wedge outward and into thenotch of the mounting platform. In one example, the rotational stiffnessof the locking mechanism can be increased by increasing the stiffness ofthe coil compression spring, or by increasing the amount the spring iscompressed as it moves from a locked position (i.e. within a notch) toan unlocked position (i.e. outside the notch profile), or a combinationof both. In another example, the rotational stiffness can be furtherincreased by increasing the number of wedges that engage with notcheswhen in the locked position.

In the illustrated example, the retainer plate assembly of the devicecasing may include openings at each outermost dimension (i.e. corner) toreceive the wedges. The openings may be adapted to mirror a profile ofthe wedges such that the wedges can project through the openings andoutward from the retainer plate assembly. The wedges may include aprotruding end and a non-protruding end. The protruding end may protrudethrough the opening of the retainer plate assembly. The non-protrudingend may include a flange that prevents the wedge from entirelyprotruding outward through, and entirely disengage from, the opening ofthe retainer plate assembly. In some examples, the wedge may correspondto a pin, a spire, a pyramid shape, a lever, or any other shape that isadapted to project outward from the retainer plate assembly.

Moreover, the mounting platform may include a plurality of notchesetched into segments of the partial-thickness groove of the retainerplate assembly. The notches may be sized to receive the wedges of theretainer plate assembly. Each notch may be positioned,circumferentially, to align with corners of a retainer plate assembly(i.e. positions of the wedges) when the device casing is inserted intothe mounting platform. The notches may be sized to mirror the shape andsize of a fraction of each wedge that touches the notch. The depth ofthe notch may mirror at least a segment of the wedge that protrudesoutward from the retainer plate assembly.

In various examples, the mechanically assisted coupling assembly mayinclude a different number of wedges relative to the number of notches.In one example, the number of notches on the mounting platform maycorrespond to the number of wedges on the retainer plate assembly. Inother examples, the number of notches may be fewer or more than thenumber of wedges of the retainer plate assembly. For example, consider atriangle-shaped retainer plate assembly with three wedges fixed at eachof the three corners. While the triangle-shaped retainer plate assemblymay include up to three wedges, the mounting platform may include anynumber of notches. By introducing more than three notches, the rotationof the device casing from a locked position to an unlocked position canbe reduced.

FIGS. 1A through 1C illustrate an assembly view of the device casing 102and the mounting platform 104. FIG. 1A illustrates a side view of thedevice casing 102 installed into the mounting platform 104. FIG. 1Billustrates an isometric view from above the device casing 102 thatdepicts the device casing 102 separated from the mounting platform 104.FIG. 1C illustrates an isometric view from below the mounting platform104 that depicts the device casing 102 separated from the mountingplatform 104.

In the illustrated example, the device casing 102 is to comprise of twodome-shaped segments that join at their respective edges. The devicecasing 102 may be fabricated from anodized aluminum, aluminum, titanium,brass, iron, steel, stainless steel, composite materials, orpolypropylene plastic. Further device casing 102 may be sized to housean electronic device, such as an electronic tracker is intended to bereleasably coupled to a product, person, or an animal via a mountingplatform. It is noteworthy that the device casing 102 may be configuredto house any type of electronic device that is capable of beinginstalled within the enclosure formed by the two dome-shaped segments.

Referring to FIGS. 1B and 1C, the mounting platform 104 may be sized toreceive the device casing 102 and facilitate a locking and unlockingmechanism of the device casing 102, once installed. The mountingplatform 104 may be fabricated from anodized aluminum, aluminum,titanium, brass, iron, steel, stainless steel, composite materials, orpolypropylene plastic.

In the illustrated example, the mounting platform 10 may include arecessed segment that is sized to receive a retainer plate assembly 106that is fixedly attached to the device casing 102. The recessed segmentextends from a top platform surface 108 of the mounting platform 104 toa bottom platform surface 110. The recessed segment further includes apartially flanged wall along the perimeter the recess, which providesthe mechanical mechanism to restrict translation of the retainer plateassembly 106—at particular orientations of the retainer plate assembly106 relative to the mounting platform 104—once the retainer plateassembly 106 is nested within the mounting platform 104. Further, thepartially flanged wall also provides the mechanical mechanism thatpermits ingress and egress of the retainer plate assembly 106—andattached device casing 102—to and from the mounting platform 104.

Moreover, the mounting platform 104 may further include one or morenotches 112 that are etched into the top platform surface 108. The oneor more notches 112 may be etched into a segment of the partiallyflanged wall that has a flanged wall profile. The one or more notches112 may be positioned on the top platform surface 108 so as to receiveone or more wedges that protrude outward from the retainer plateassembly 106 of the device casing 102. In one example, the number ofnotches may correspond to the number of wedges. Alternatively, thenumber of notches may less than or greater than the number of wedges.

The retainer plate assembly 106 may comprise a flat plate segment 114that is offset away from the device casing 102 by a perimeter wallflange 116 that extends along the perimeter edge of the flat platesegment 114. The retainer plate assembly 106 may be fabricated fromanodized aluminum, aluminum, titanium, brass, iron, steel, stainlesssteel, composite materials, or polypropylene plastic.

In the illustrated example, the retainer plate assembly 106 may berigidly attached to the device casing 102 at the abutting top edge ofthe perimeter wall flange 116. The retainer plate assembly 106 mayfurther include one or more perimeter flange openings that facilitateone or more wedges 118 to protrude outward from the center of theretainer plate assembly 106. The perimeter flange openings may bepositioned at the corner edges of the retainer plate assembly 106 so asto align with corresponding notches in the mounting platform 104 whenthe device casing 102 nests within the mounting platform 104. In variousexamples, the one or more wedges 118 may be fabricated from a durablepolypropylene plastic or composite material.

FIGS. 2A through 2E illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a devicecasing 102 that comprises a retainer plate assembly 106 that is rigidlyfixed to a device casing 102. FIG. 2A illustrates an exploded isometricview of the device casing 102 and retainer plate assembly 106. FIG. 2Billustrates a side view of the device casing 102. FIG. 2C illustrates across-sectional view of the device casing assembly through section A-Aof FIG. 2B. FIG. 2D illustrates a cross-sectional view through sectionB-B of FIG. 2C. FIG. 2E illustrates a cross-sectional view throughsection C-C of FIG. 2C.

In the illustrated example, the device casing 102 comprises onedome-shaped segment of an entire device casing, within which anelectronic device, such as a pet tracker, may be installed.

The retainer plate assembly 106 may comprise a flat plate segment 114that is offset away from the device casing 102 by a perimeter wallflange 116 that extends along the perimeter edge of the flat platesegment 114. The retainer plate assembly 106 is rigidly attached to thedevice casing at the abutting top edge of the perimeter wall flange 116.The perimeter wall flange 116 is offset inward from the outer edge ofthe flat plate segment 114, thereby creating a lipped edge, which isused to engage the mounting platform when the device casing, andretainer plate assembly 106 nests within the mounting platform. In theillustrated example, the planform profile of the flat plate segment 114may correspond to a square profile. In other examples, planform profileof the flat plate segment 114 may correspond to a rectangular profile ora triangular profile, or any other closed section profile.

Further, the perimeter wall flange 116 may include one or more perimeterflange openings 202 to facilitate one or more wedges 118 to protrudeoutward from the center of the retainer plate assembly 106. Theperimeter flange openings 202 may be positioned at the corner edges ofthe retainer plate assembly 106 so as to align with correspondingnotches in the mounting platform when the device casing 102 nests withinthe mounting platform 104.

In the illustrated example, the one or more wedges 118 may have arectangular cross-sectional profile. In other examples, the one or morewedges 118 may have a cross-sectional profile that corresponds to asquare, a pin, a spire, or a pyramid. The one or more wedges maycomprise a protruding end and a non-protruding end. The protruding endis designed with a cross-sectional profile that is sized to protrudethrough the perimeter flange openings 202 of the perimeter wall flange116. The non-protruding end is designed to incorporate a flange that iswider than the perimeter flange openings, thereby preventing theindividual wedges from protruding entirely through the perimeter flangeopenings when under the force of the mechanical springs 204.

Additionally, the one or more wedges 118 may be mechanically coupled tothe retainer plate assembly 106 via mechanical springs 204. Themechanical springs 204 may generate an axial force when compressed thatcause the one or more wedges 118 to protrude outward through theperimeter flange openings 202 in the perimeter wall flange 116.

In the illustrated example, a flanged mount 206 is rigidly fixed to abottom surface of the device casing 102 and is designed to providemechanical springs 204 associated with one or more wedges 118 with afixed surface upon which the mechanical spring coils may compress togenerate an axial force that causes the one or more wedges 118 toprotrude outward through the perimeter flange openings 202 in theperimeter wall flange 116 of the retainer plate assembly 106.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a mounting platform thatreceives the retainer plate assembly 106 of the device casing 102. FIG.3A illustrates an isometric view of the mounting platform 104. FIG. 3Billustrates a top planform view of the mounting platform 104. FIG. 3Cillustrates a cross-sectional view through section D-D of FIG. 3B. FIG.3D illustrates a cross-sectional view through section E-E of FIG. 3B.

In the illustrated example, the mounting platform 104 includes a topplatform surface 08 and a bottom platform surface 110. The top platformsurface 108 is etched to receive a first opening profile 302 thatcorresponds to the planform of the retainer plate assembly 106. Thefirst opening profile 302 is etched into the top platform surface 108through to the bottom platform surface 110. The bottom platform surface110 (i.e. the floor of the recess) corresponds to the surface that theretainer plate assembly 106 abuts when nested within the mountingplatform 104.

Further, the mounting platform 104 is further etched to receive a secondopening profile 304 that corresponds to the planform of the retainerplate assembly 106. The second opening profile 304 is etched from amidway point between the top platform surface and the bottom platformsurface 110. While the centroid of the second opening profile 304 iscolinear with the centroid of the first opening profile 302, thealignment of the second opening profile 304 relative to the firstopening profile 302 is rotationally offset by a predetermined angle.

The rotational offset is intended to etch a groove within the wall ofthe mounting platform 104 that permits the flat plate segment 114 of theretainer plate assembly 106 to rotate 360 degrees when the retainerplate assembly 106 is nested within the mounting platform 104. Therotational offset is governed by the predetermined angle that definesthe offset required to etch the groove that permits the rotation of theretainer plate assembly 106 within the etched groove. In one example,the predetermined angle is defined as 180 (degrees) divided by thenumber of corners on the flat plate segment 114 of the retainer plateassembly 106. For example, consider a flat plate segment 114 having asquare profile. In this example, the predetermined angle would equate to45 degrees (i.e. 180 degrees/4). Similarly, a flat plate segment 114having a triangular profile would require the second opening profile 304to be rotationally offset relative to the first opening profile 302 by40 degrees (i.e. 120 degrees/3). Doing so will permit the triangularprofile of the flat plate segment 114 to rotation 360 degrees when theretainer plate assembly 106 is nested within the mounting platform 104.

The mounting platform 104 further includes a partially flanged wall thatencloses the first opening profile 302 and the second opening profile304. The partially flanged wall is created by the overlay and rotationaloffset of the combined first opening profile 302 and the second openingprofile 304. The partially flanged wall comprises a first segment havinga straight wall profile 306 and a second segment having a flanged wallprofile 308. The flange of the flanged wall profile 308 restrictstranslation of the retainer plate assembly 106 relative to the mountingplatform 104 while the retainer plate assembly 106 is nested within themounting platform 104. More specifically, translation of the retainerplate assembly 106 is restricted at a first set of predeterminedorientations of the retainer plate assembly 106 relative to the mountingplate 104. The set of predetermined orientations correspond to corneredges of the retainer plate assembly 106 aligning with the secondsegment of the partially flanged wall that has a flanged wall profile308.

In contrast, when the retainer plate assembly 106 free to translate intoan out of the mounting platform 104 when the retainer plate assembly 106is oriented above the mounting platform 104 at a second set ofpredetermined orientation. The second set of predetermined orientationscorrespond to corner edges of the retainer plate assembly 106 aligningwith the first segment of the partially flanged wall that has a straightwall profile 306.

Moreover, the mounting platform 104 may further include one or morenotches 112 that are etched into the top platform surface 108 of themounting platform 104. The one or more notches 112 may be etched intothe second segment of the partially flanged wall that has a flanged wallprofile 308. The one or more notches 112 are etched to receive one ormore wedges that protrude outward from the retainer plate assembly 106of the device casing 102.

In one example, the number of notches may correspond to the number ofwedges. Alternatively, the number of notches may less than or greaterthan the number of wedges.

FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of themounting platform 104 that is further configured as power chargingstation 402. The mounting platform 104 described in FIGS. 1A through 1Cand FIGS. 3A through 3E include various details relating to the powercharging station 402. As such, for brevity and ease of description,various details relating to the power charging station 402 have beenomitted herein to the extent that the same or similar details have beenprovided in relation to the mounting platform 104.

In the illustrated example, the power charging station 402 may include arecessed segment that is sized to receive a retainer plate assembly 106that is fixedly attached to a device casing 102. The recessed segmentextends from a top platform surface 404 of the power charging station402 to a bottom platform surface 406. The recessed segment furtherincludes a partially flanged wall along the perimeter the recess, whichprovide the mechanical mechanism to restrict translation of the retainerplate assembly 106—at particular orientations of the retainer plateassembly 106 relative to the power charging station 402—once theretainer plate assembly 106 is nested within the power charging station402. Further, the partially flanged wall also provides the mechanicalmechanism that permits ingress and egress of the retainer plate assembly106—and attached device casing 102—to and from the power chargingstation 402.

The power charging station 402 may further include one or more notches408 that are etched into the top platform surface 404. The one or morenotches 408 may be similar to the one or more notches 112. The one ormore notches 408 may be etched into a segment of the partially flangedwall that has a flanged wall profile, similar to the flanged wallprofile 308. The one or more notches 112 may be positioned on the topplatform surface 404 so as to receive one or more wedges that protrudeoutward from the retainer plate assembly 106 of the device casing 102.

The power charging station 402 may include, within its structure,hardware to draw power from the power input interface 410 and charge adevice that is housed within the device casing 102 at times when thedevice casing 102 is nested within the power charging station 402. Invarious examples, the power charging station 402 may be configured torestrict charging of the device until the device casing 102 is in alocked position within the power charging station 402.

Further, the casing of the power charging station 402 may be fabricatedfrom anodized aluminum, aluminum, titanium, brass, iron, steel,stainless steel, composite materials, or polypropylene plastic.

CONCLUSION

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tofeatures and methodological acts, it is to be understood that thesubject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limitedto the specific features or acts described herein. Rather, the specificfeatures and acts are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing theclaims.

What is claimed:
 1. A device casing that is mechanically coupled to amounting platform, the device casing comprising: a device casing; aretainer plate that is fixedly attached to a bottom surface of thedevice casing, the retainer plate having a planform profile that isconfigured to nest within a retainer plate opening of a mountingplatform; and one or more wedges that are mechanically coupled to theretainer plate, the one or more wedges configured to engage one ornotches that are etched at predetermined positions through a topplanform surface of the mounting platform, and wherein, the one or morewedges are further configured to protrude outward from a perimeter edgeof the retainer plate and into the one or more notches.
 2. The devicecasing of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the retainer plate is sized tobe less than a web height of a partially flanged wall that encloses theretainer plate opening of the mounting platform, and wherein theretainer plate is sized to nest underneath flanges of the partiallyflanged wall, and wherein the retainer plate is further configured torotate in a clockwise direction and an anti-clockwise direction whilenested in position underneath flanges of the partially flanged wall. 3.The device casing of claim 1, wherein the planform profile of theretainer plate corresponds to one of a square profile, a rectangularprofile, or a triangular profile, wherein, the retainer plate furtherincludes a perimeter wall flange at a perimeter edge of the planformprofile, and wherein, the retainer plate further comprises one or moreperimeter flange openings to receive the one or more wedges, the one ormore wedges to protrude through corresponding perimeter flange openingsof the one or more perimeter flange openings.
 4. The device casing ofclaim 3, wherein the one or more wedges retain a uniform cross-sectionprofile, and wherein, the one or more perimeter flange openings aresized to suit the uniform cross-sectional profile of the one or morewedges.
 5. The device casing of claim 3, wherein individual wedges ofthe one or more wedges have a protruding end and a non-protruding end,the protruding end having a cross-sectional profile that is sized toprotrude through the perimeter flange openings and engage the one ormore notches of the mounting platform, and the non-protruding end havinga flange that prevents the individual wedges from protruding entirelythrough the perimeter flange openings.
 6. The device casing of claim 3,wherein the one or more wedges are mechanically coupled to the retainerplate via mechanical springs, the mechanical springs to force the one ormore wedges to protrude outward through the one or more perimeter flangeopenings of the retainer plate.
 7. The device casing of claim 1, whereinat least one wedge of the one or more wedges is configured to protrudeoutward from the retainer plate and into at least notch of the one ormore notches in response to a rotation of the device casing while theretainer plate is nested within the mounting platform, the rotationcausing an orientation of the at least one wedge to align with the atleast notch of the mounting platform.
 8. The device casing of claim 1,wherein the one or more wedges have a cross-sectional profile thatcorresponds to one of a pin, a spire, or a pyramid.
 9. The device casingof claim 1, wherein a first number of the one or more wedges is greaterthan or less than to a second number of the one or more notches.
 10. Thedevice casing of claim 1, wherein the device casing is fixedly attachedto an electronic tracking device, and wherein the mounting platformcorresponds to at least one of a charging docking station or a mountingbracket that is fixedly attached to a tracked item.
 11. A mountingplatform that is mechanically coupled to a device casing, the mountingplatform comprising: a retainer plate opening having a first openingprofile at a top platform surface of the mounting platform and a secondopening profile at a bottom surface of the mounting platform, whereinthe top platform surface first receives a retainer plate when nestedwithin the mounting platform, and wherein the bottom platform surfaceabuts the retainer plate when the retainer plate is nested within themounting platform, wherein the first opening profile matches a planformprofile of the retainer plate and is etched into the top platformsurface through to the bottom platform surface, and wherein, the secondopening profile is etched from midway between top platform surface andthe bottom surface through to the bottom surface, the second openingprofile corresponding to a rotational offset of the first openingprofile by a predetermined angle; wherein the first opening profile andthe second opening profile of the retainer plate opening create apartially flanged wall that extends between the top platform surface andthe bottom platform surface, the partially flanged wall including afirst segment having a straight wall profile and the second segmenthaving a flanged wall profile, and wherein, the second segment that hasthe flanged wall profile further includes one or more notches etched atpredetermined positions into the top platform surface to receive one ormore wedges that protrude outward from the retainer plate of the devicecasing.
 12. The mounting platform of claim 11, wherein the flanged wallprofile is further sized to prevent translation of the retainer plate ofthe device casing in response to the device casing being locked into themounting platform.
 13. The mounting platform of claim 11, wherein thefirst segment of the partially flanged wall that has the straight wallprofile is sized to create a planform to receive the retainer plate ofthe device casing.
 14. The mounting platform of claim 11, wherein thepartially flanged wall creates a top opening planform surface and abottom opening planform surface of the mounting platform, the topopening planform surface being defined by a first perimeter edge of aflanged segment of the partially flanged wall and a second perimeteredge of the straight wall profile, and the bottom opening planformsurface being defined by a third perimeter edge of a web of thepartially flanged wall and a fourth perimeter edge of the straight wallprofile, the top opening planform surface having a lesser enclosed arearelative to the bottom opening planform surface, and wherein, the bottomopening planform surface corresponds to a planform of the retainerplate.
 15. The mounting platform of claim 11, wherein a thickness of thepartially flanged wall is sized to permit a clockwise rotation andanti-close rotation of the retainer plate of the device casing when theretainer plate is nestled within the mounting platform.
 16. Amechanical-coupling assembly, comprising: a mounting platform; and adevice casing that is mechanically coupled to the mounting platform, thedevice casing including a retainer plate that is fixedly attached to abottom surface of the device casing, wherein the retainer plate isconfigured to nest within a retainer plate opening of the mountingplatform, the retainer plate including one or more wedges that protrudeoutward from an edge of the retainer plate and engage correspondingnotches of the mounting platform, and wherein a clockwise rotation or ananti-clockwise rotation of the device casing while the retainer plate isnested within the retainer plate causes an orientation of at least onewedge to align with at least one notch of the mounting platform.
 17. Themechanical-coupling assembly of claim 16, wherein the device casing isin a locked position when the at least one wedge aligns with the atleast one notch of the mounting platform, and wherein the device casingis in an unlocked position when the one or more wedges do not align witha corresponding notch of the mounting platform.
 18. Themechanical-coupling assembly of claim 16, wherein the one or more wedgesare mechanically coupled to the retainer plate via mechanical springsthat force the one or more wedges to protrude outward from a perimeterof the retainer plate, and wherein, the mechanical springs further causethe one or more wedges to automatically engage corresponding notches ofthe mounting platform in response to a rotational alignment of the oneor more wedges with the corresponding notches.
 19. Themechanical-coupling assembly of claim 16, wherein the mounting platformincludes a partially flanged wall at a perimeter edge of the retainerplate opening, the partial flanged wall including a first segment havinga straight wall profile and a second segment having a flanged wallprofile, and wherein the second segment having the flanged wall profileare sized to restrict translation of the retainer plate relative to themounting platform while the retainer plate is nested within the mountingplatform, wherein translation of the retainer plate relative to themounting platform is restricted at a first set of predeterminedorientations of the retainer plate relative to the mounting plate, thefirst set of predetermined orientations corresponding to corner edges ofthe retainer plate aligning with the second segment of the partiallyflanged wall.
 20. The mechanical-coupling assembly of claim 19, whereinthe first segment has the straight wall profile are sized to permitinsertion and removal of the retainer plate relative to the mountingplatform at a second set of predetermined orientations of the retainerplate relative to the mounting plate, the second set of predeterminedorientations corresponding to corner edges of the retainer platealigning with the first segment of the straight wall profile.